Eyelid bumps are small swellings or lumps on the edge or inside your eyelid caused by infections, inflammation, or blockages of oil glands. While eyelid bumps usually go away on their own, they can sometimes be painful, irritating, or interfere with your vision. We will cover the common causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eyelid bumps in this blog post.
There are four main types of eyelid bumps:
Infected eyelashes or oil glands can develop a stye, a red, tender bump. It usually lasts for a few days, making your eyes watery, crusty, and sensitive to light.
A chalazion is a hard, painless bump that develops when an oil gland becomes blocked and inflamed. It takes weeks or months for it to heal. It can grow large enough to press on your eye and affect your vision.
Xanthelasma: An inner corner of the eyelid develops a yellowish, flat bump called a xanthelasma. A buildup of cholesterol or fat under the skin causes it to form. It isn't harmful or affects your vision, but it can indicate high cholesterol levels.
A papilloma is a flesh-colored, wart-like bump that grows on the surface of your eyelids. It is caused by a virus and is usually benign, but can be cosmetically bothersome.
Eyelid bumps can be caused by various factors, such as:
Touching your eyes with dirty hands, using expired or contaminated makeup, or sharing eye products can introduce bacteria or viruses into your eyelids.
Allergies: Exposure to allergens, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander, can trigger an allergic reaction and cause your eyelids to swell, itch, or become red.
Dry eyes: Lack of moisture in your eyes can irritate your eyelids and make them more prone to infection or inflammation.
Blepharitis: Blepharitis is a chronic condition that causes your eyelids to become inflamed, crusty, or scaly. It can affect the oil glands and hair follicles on your eyelids and cause styes or chalazia.
Rosacea: Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness, flushing, or bumps on your face. It can also affect your eyes and eyelids and cause styes or chalazia.
Other medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or autoimmune disorders, can affect your eyelids and cause xanthelasma or papilloma.
Eyelid bumps can have different symptoms depending on their type, size, and location. Some common symptoms include:
A visible lump or swelling on your eyelid
Redness, tenderness, or warmth around the bump
Pain or discomfort when blinking or touching the bump
Watery, crusty, or sticky discharge from the bump or your eye
Itching, burning, or irritation of your eye or eyelid
Sensitivity to light or blurred vision
Your doctor may also ask you about your medical history, symptoms, and potential triggers. Your doctor may also recommend additional tests, such as:
An infection can be identified by taking a sample of the fluid or tissue from the bump and sending it to a laboratory for analysis.
Biopsy: A biopsy is a test that involves removing a small piece of the bump and examining it under a microscope. It can help rule out any abnormal or cancerous cells.
A blood test measures the levels of certain substances in your blood, such as cholesterol, glucose, or antibodies. It can be used to detect any underlying health issues.
Eyelid bumps are usually treated with home remedies, medications, or procedures, depending on their type, severity, and cause. Some common treatments include:
Home remedies: Home remedies are simple and natural ways to relieve the symptoms and speed up the healing of eyelid bumps. They include:
Warm compress: Applying a warm, moist cloth to your eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day can help reduce the swelling, pain, and inflammation of the bump. It can also help drain the pus or oil from the bump and prevent further infection.
By gently washing your eyelid, you can remove any dirt, crust, or makeup that may irritate your eyelid or block your oil glands. You can also prevent the infection from spreading to your other eye.
Over-the-counter or prescription eye drops or ointments can help lubricate your eye, reduce itching or burning, and fight infection and inflammation. If you use them safely and effectively, you should follow the instructions on their label or your doctor's advice.
You can prevent further irritation or inflammation by avoiding or limiting exposure to things that may trigger or worsen your eyelid bump, such as allergens, makeup, contact lenses, or rubbing your eyes.
Medications: Medications are drugs that are prescribed by your doctor to treat the underlying cause or complication of your eyelid bump. They include:
Antibiotic, you can take it orally or apply it topically to your eyelid. It kills or stops the growth of bacteria that cause infection. When styes or chalazia are caused by bacterial infections or do not respond to home remedies, they are usually prescribed.
Asteroid is a drug that reduces inflammation and immune response in your body. They can be injected into your eyelid or taken orally. Steroids are usually prescribed for chalazia or xanthelasma that do not respond to home remedies.
It is possible to take antivirals orally or apply them topically to your eyelid, as they inhibit the replication of viruses that cause infection. They are usually prescribed when papilloma is caused by a virus or doesn't respond to home remedies.
Procedures: Procedures are medical interventions that are performed by your doctor to remove or destroy your eyelid bump. They include:
It involves squeezing out pus or oil from a bump by making a small cut on your eyelid and making a small incision. It is usually done for large, painful, or vision-improving styes or chalazia. You can have the procedure done under local anesthesia or general anesthesia in a hospital.
It is usually done for persistent, recurrent, or cosmetically undesirable chalazia, xanthelasma, or papilloma on the eyelid. Surgery involves cutting out the entire bump from your eyelid. In a doctor's office or a hospital, it is performed under local or general anesthesia.
Laser: Laser is a procedure that involves using a beam of light to vaporize or burn off the bump from your eyelid. It is usually done for xanthelasma or papilloma that are small, flat, or superficial. It can be done under local anesthesia in your doctor’s office or in a hospital.
Eyelid bumps can be prevented by following some simple tips, such as:
Keeping your eyes and eyelids clean and avoiding touching them with dirty hands and objects can prevent the introduction of bacteria or viruses into your eyelids and resulting in infection or inflammation.
You can prevent irritation or blockage of your eyelids and oil glands by choosing eye products that are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and suitable for your skin type.
Controlling your blood sugar, cholesterol, or other health conditions that may affect your eyelids and cause xanthelasma or papilloma can help prevent their formation.
If your eyelid bumps do not improve or worsen with home remedies, you should consult your doctor. This can prevent any complications or permanent damage to your eye or eyelid.
It is common for eyelid bumps to be harmless, but they may cause irritation, discomfort, or appearance problems. Taking control of eyelid bumps effectively and safely requires understanding their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Always consult your doctor for professional advice and care if you have any questions or concerns about your eyelid bumps.
